LUNCHEON LAZINESS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1623, 28 April 1919, Page 3

LUNCHEON LAZINESS.

\ CHANGE YOUR MEAL HABITS.

A month or two ago I had an experience which observation leads me to believe is very common among businessmen, writes a well-known journalist in the "Dailv Mail."

I was engaged upon literary work that entailed considerable concentration during the entire working day. It was my practice to have a light breakfast, with the result that at lunch-time I found myself with a healthy appetite that only a good "square" meal would satisfy. But during the afternoon my power of concentration and creation seemed to drop to zero. A stodgy feeling and a lack of interest took possession of me and lasted for the rest of the day. I mentioned it to ft-medieal man. He said:

"You've got 'luncheon laziness'—a trouble many business men suffer from though they don't always realise it. Change your feeding methods. Make a hearty breakfast, coax yourself to eat then. And instead of a heavy lunch have a couple of sandwiches. Heartv eating super-induces a bodily warmth that in turn causes a sleepy dullness of the senses. That .is why so few business men are at their best and keenest after luuch; they have eaten too much for their mental needs.

"A good breakfast does not produce tills result, because there is usually some exercise between that meal and actually commencing work—if only the energy expended in getting to the office.

"All business men who use their brains would be better if they followed this plan. Some of them go to the other extreme and eliminate the midday meal altogether. But this is a mistake. They feel bright and alert every minute of the day, but it is the alertness of a hungry bodily and mental system.

'' In my experience of business men,'' my informant added, "there are more big deals spoiled by 'luncheon laziness.' than from any other cause. The man who has a heavy lunch should therefore avoid trying to do serious business in the afternoon."